Category: Blog

Why do commercial moves pose such a risk to electronics? How to protect your equipment during business relocations.

Commercial moves involve many types of electronic equipment, and it’s common for certain items to be damaged or lost during business relocations. It’s easy to protect your business items when you’re prepared.

Safely and securely pack your electronics using the following tips:

• Gather Your Supplies – Besides just having boxes and packing tape on hand, you will need a few extras to make sure your electronics make it to their new location in one piece. Anti-static bubble wrap ensures no amount of bouncing will break your equipment, while moving blankets are often needed for larger pieces, like professional copies and printers. Zip and Velcro ties will help keep your cords separated while tags can help them stay organized.
• Remove Your Accessories – CDs, disk drives, and other components can be damaged or cause damage during a move. Remove them, wrap them, and then pack them in the same box as their accompanying equipment.
• Wrap Your Cords – When possible, remove your cords, wrap them and secure them with a Velcro or zip tie. Once labeled, you can place them alongside their corresponding electronics.
• Pack Everything in a Box – If it’s small enough, put every piece of equipment you’re packing in a box. Heavier items should be placed at the bottom with lighter accessories or similar items placed near the top. Especially large pieces of equipment can be wrapped in blankets and placed on dollies or moving pallets.
• Use the Right Equipment for Loading – Moving companies have endless gadgets at their disposal, so take advantage of them. Use dollies, straps, wooden crates, moving blankets, and most importantly, professional help. Commercial moves are rarely best left up to your employees.

When planning for commercial moves, protect your electronics by getting an expert’s assistance. Request a free quote today from Nilson Van – or call us toll-free at 844.668.3721.

What do you need to do to adequately plan residential moves?

Residential moves often take longer than expected without a detailed plan in place. Nilson Van helps you pull things together in record time, but you’ll still need several days to get your supplies, packing, and transportation in line. The following time frame is perfect as a common sense schedule for anyone looking to move to a new home, whether across the country or across town:

Eight Weeks to Go

The most important task to handle during residential moves is finding a new residence. Find a new house or apartment in your new locale. If you can’t do the search in person, working with a realtor can help. At the same time, you can start preparing your own home for sale or rent, or you can put in notice to your landlords.

Six Weeks to Go

Unless you’re moving in the dead of winter, you want to pick your movers at least a month in advance. That means leaving enough time to get estimates—real estimates. Getting a quote over the phone is worthless. Inviting someone to walk through your home, however, can result in a written estimate with a guarantee.

Four Weeks to Go

Begin preparing your home for packing. Deep clean room by room, and arrange your items in ways that keeps them accessible. If you’ll be packing yourself, now is the perfect time to start. Otherwise, just simplifying the organization of your things can help a lot.

Two Weeks to Go

Arrange for the cancelation of your utilities, your mail, and other services, as well as setting up dates for connection at your new address.

One Week to Go

Double-check your schedule with someone at your moving company. Make sure you know what services you’re ordering, how much time they’ll need to get the job done and what time of day they will be starting. If you’ve made any big changes since your initial estimate, you may want to ask them back for a second look.

The Night Before Your Move

If you’ve hired packing services, all you need to do is make sure you have a bag filled with essential clothing, toiletries, and important documents ready to take with you on the drive to your new home. Also, group your items together in sensible groups to make moving your things easier for the company.

The next day, all you have to do is meet with them and make sure they have the appropriate address ready to go, and leave a contact number where they can reach you in case a problem arises. It should take roughly 7 – 8 hours for professionals to completely pack a 3-bedroom home.

For help in planning residential moves in South Carolina, get in touch with the experts. Call toll-free 800.845.2682, or contact Nilson Van today to get your new life started.

How can moving and storage companies help you during a company move?

Moving and storage companies aren’t just experienced in the logistics of moving your business’s equipment from one location to the next. They can also pass on information they’ve learned from their other clients.

The following three tips will make your office transition easier than ever:

1. Use Visuals to Update Your Clients – Switching locations introduces the risk that you’ll lose customers. Why? Some people just aren’t invested enough to find out where you’re headed. Familiarity sells, so keep your customers informed through social media, email, or a newsletter. Show them pictures of your new place of business and make sure you reference well-known landmarks when directing customers to your new space.
2. Set Up Phone and Internet Services in Advance – First, find out whether or not the services you’re already using will work at your new property before you sign a lease. Then set up new services at least a month in advance to ensure you have time to address any problems.
3. Move at the End of a Workday – Do you want your employees around to pitch in? While they may not be the best choice to disassemble office furniture or pack up files, they can certainly pack and move their personal belongings , which means that much less to do for the move. Moving at the end of a workday is often best for this reason. Have movers show up about an hour after closing time and streamline the shift to your new locale.

Call Nilson Van for more tips from one of the community’s top moving and storage companies.

Where can you find reliable moving company ratings?

Before you invite movers into your home to give you accurate estimates, it’s important to check out moving company ratings and other information online. The moving industry has undergone tremendous regulation in the past ten years because of scams, and you don’t want to invite potential criminals into your home.

Visit these three sites before scheduling any appointments for estimates:

1. BBB Online – The Better Business Bureau keeps tracks of complaints that companies receive and the methods by which they resolved them. If you read the details of cases, you can get a good idea for the level of concern providers place on customer satisfaction, property protection, and timely work.
2. Yelp – Yelp is a review service, and you’ll find both good and bad experiences listed here. The trick is to read a fair amount of reviews. Keep an eye out for any reviews that seem fake or lack any detail about their experience.
3. Safersys.org – While not a review service, this website will help you get a better look at the official services a business offers. All you need are companies’ USDOT numbers, and then you can get a thorough look at their practices. Further, by contacting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, you can make sure their insurance and licensure are current.

Contact Nilson Van today for all the information you need to check out our moving company ratings and legal status online.

What should you look for in an international moving company?

Commercial moving and international moving are some of the trickiest endeavors to take on, meaning professional assistance is needed when you’re taking on both of these challenges at once. Moving a business across national borders makes for a precarious endeavor that begins months before the actual move. And the preparation work doesn’t end with filing for the appropriate visas, licenses, and other paperwork.

The logistics of actually moving your equipment to a foreign locale may also take months of preparation, not to mention the time needed to physically move your possessions and get them all through customs.

Here are the most important elements to consider when hiring a company for an international commercial move:

• Experience – Before you hire a company for an international commercial move, it’s important to talk with its former clients. Movers with appropriate experience will be able to connect you with businesses they’ve shifted across country lines. If they have no references, move along. You don’t want a business cutting its teeth at your expense.

• Local partnerships – Many times international movers will only complete the first half of a journey and rely instead on partners in another country to complete the process. This is expected, but it makes checking references doubly important.

• Licenses and insurance – You can go to safersys.org to see a company’s official list of services, along with the licenses and insurance they carry. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at 202-385-2423 for updated insurance information and at 202-336-9805 to check on a company’s license status.

You could also skip straight to one of the area’s most capable international moving companies. Contact Nilson Van for an in-person quote today.

How can door-to-door movers really help you if you’re only moving across town (or even across the street)?

Most people moving in-state, or especially in-city, won’t hire door-to-door movers unless they have special circumstances, but they’re actually very beneficial for every move for a number of reasons. For just a few hundred dollars, you can hand your worries (and your backaches) over to someone else, and spend the day celebrating your new home with your friends, instead of pressing them into service.

Here are just a few of the payoffs you get from hiring door-to-door movers:

• Affordability – Interstate moves generally cost over $1000, so the cost of hiring a mover when you could spend a few hours moving yourself from one house to another may initially seem too excessive for your budget. But compare that to the cost of renting any equipment yourself, the gas of driving everything on your own, and replacing anything that gets broken or damaged due to your moving inexperience. In-state moves cost a fraction of the expected cost and are well worth the expense.
• Safety – Lower-back pain is a chronic problem in our country because we spend a lot of our time seated and then try to tackle difficult tasks like lifting couches and dressers. This exertion can have serious consequences if you find it’s too much for your body. Movers do these tasks every day for a living and have extensive safety measures in place, so they are more suited to moving your heavy furniture while you manage other tasks and keep yourself safe.
• Assurance – Professional moving companies have both experience and insurance, so your property is generally less likely to be damaged and more likely to be replaced right away if it is. You don’t have to take their word for it either. Each company you ask for an in-home quote from should have a USDOT number, and this number can be used to check their status. Visit safersys.org to find out more about a company’s official protection plan and history. You can also check out review sites like Yelp and BBB Online to see the experiences other people have had using them.

Call 803-786-1090 to schedule an in-home quote with the area’s best door-to-door movers, Nilson Van.

How can cardboard boxes simplify an office move?

Cardboard boxes simply don’t get the credit they deserve, especially when it comes to commercial moving. They protect your belongings, are easy to transport, and save you money. It’s safe to say that having the right tools on hand when packing makes the entire process much easier. 

Just take a look at some of the surprising ways cardboard boxes make a positive difference during a commercial move:

1. Boxes Offer Extra Protection

High-quality moving boxes protect your equipment, files, and other necessities when moving from one location to another. If you’ve hired a company to move your belongings, you can often rely on their insurance to replace or repair damaged items, but wouldn’t it be better to avoid damages and get back to work earlier instead of having to wait for your claims to be processed? Some moving companies won’t cover damages from improperly packed items, so make sure you have an appropriate box for every item you want to transport your new office. (Luckily, there are moving companies who will provide boxes and pack the items for you for a small fee.)

2. Boxes Save Money

Most movers charge you on distance, time, and the size of moving truck you need. Boxes stack much easier and more compactly than individual items. Boxes also lead to a faster loading and unloading time, offering you twice the opportunity to save.

3. Boxes are Often Free with Packing Services

Knowing the right way to pack your office supplies will go a long way in preventing damages and in helping you get reorganized once you arrive at your new destination. Commercial movers have the experience necessary to do any job correctly and quickly, so you can have peace of mind and less stress during the moving process. You can find moving companies that offer affordable packing services, including the best boxes you need for packing absolutely anything in your office. It’s worth getting a quote from a professional company before you start buying supplies.

Call 800-845-2682 to speak to Nilson Van about the number and types of cardboard boxes you’ll need for your next office move. If you are interested in having a professional moving company do the job for you, we can provide you with a free moving quote.

Single and moving? How to streamline your moving checklist.

Utilizing a moving checklist to help with transitions regardless of the distance from one home to the next is an important part of keeping your expenses and stress levels as low as possible. Unfortunately, most moving checklists that you’ll find online are for families with larger homes. As a single person, you may feel out of touch with these templates and end up ignoring them entirely instead of searching for a more suitable guideline.

If you’re single and moving soon, keep the following moving checklist items in mind:

Hire a Company for Packing and Moving

It may feel a bit strange to hire movers when you live alone, but chances are your home is filled with more fragile and expensive décor than a family’s home. Chances are, too, that you don’t have moving experience beyond stuffing things in a big box with bubble wrap.

You may be very surprised to learn how much it costs to move your whole house packed in inflatable packaging. Once you calculate the costs, you will likely find it’s just more affordable to hire a company with the know-how and supplies to prepare your move. At the very least, you can expect fewer broken or missing items once you reach your new destination.

Make Arrangements for Utilities, Security, and Mail

While you might be willing to spend the first few nights in your home without cable or internet, are you willing to risk missing a bill payment because you didn’t forward your mail yet? What about going without your security system? Nothing is more devastating than being the victim of a burglary or another crime right after you move into your new home. Ensure that your utilities will be turned on when you arrive, your mail will be forwarded correctly, and provisions have been made for both personal and on-site security.

Purchase One New Thing to Celebrate Your New Home

There’s no need to wait for a housewarming party. Put your own spin on your new place by adding one item that’s unique to the locale. Deciding on one item only allows you to keep your budget intact, while motivating you to unpack your belongings quickly.

Being single doesn’t mean you should live like you’re staying in a hotel. Your house is an important part of your life, so don’t be afraid to invest in this move and in getting your new house in tip-top shape. Infuse your personal style into the décor from day one, and have no regrets over hiring a moving company to help you safely move your belongings. You’ll enjoy the convenience and have more time to celebrate your new residence all the while, saving money.

Contact Nilson Van to request a professional moving checklist, especially designed with individuals in mind. We will also provide you with a free moving quote or help you to get your moving date on the calendar.

Why should you hire office movers?

Office movers do more than just heft heavy equipment to your new location. They’re a key ingredient in getting your business back on its feet as quickly as possible following a move. Before you hire an office moving company, consider the following:

Commercial Movers Understand the Pitfalls of Changing Locations

From lease managers who go AWOL to utility delays, a thousand things can go wrong for you on moving day. An experienced company can be your support during this tumultuous time. If you run into problems, you can count on professional office moving specialists to help you stay calm and focused and handle the situation.

Professional Movers Know the Best Way to Pack Equipment

Sometimes small business owners encourage their staff to pack their things and help in moving them to a new building. This is how printers end up broken and phone handsets go missing. It’s also a good way to tick off your employees and wind up dealing with worker’s compensation claims. Instead, make a smart investment and hire a professional moving company to pack and move all your supplies and equipment. Avoid the turmoil of coordinating your employees’ efforts, and focus on getting your business back up and running as soon as possible.

Specialist Movers Carry Insurance

Not only will a moving company be more capable of protecting your things, but they’ll also have an insurance policy to ensure any mishaps are covered. If your computer is dropped, files are lost, or your company’s belongings are stolen mid-transit, a reputable business will be able to file a claim and help you make up for the damage immediately.

Moving can be littered with pitfalls, particularly when you’re counting on a smooth transition to reopen as soon as possible. Hire a professional moving company with commercial experience when you’re moving offices in order to protect your belongings and your profits.

To schedule a consult with qualified office movers, contact Nilson Van.

How can a moving cost calculator help you prepare for the big day?

When you are preparing for a move, a moving cost calculator is one of the tools that can help you see past the chaos and find peace of mind. An online moving cost calculator isn’t going to deliver you precise results, but even an estimate is helpful to keep you within a tight budget.

It’s important to note that a moving cost calculator is not the same thing as an official quote. A moving cost calculator considers similar moves to yours and may give you a ballpark figure of what it has cost to move a similar household a similar distance. In order to get an official quote in writing, you often have to invite a moving representative to your home to assess your situation specifically.

However, this doesn’t mean that a moving cost calculator is useless. Most of us feel more comfortable obtaining quotes online or over the phone, especially for a short-distance move. Thus, while an online calculator can’t provide exact figures, using one can go a long way to helping you prepare for the big day.

Get a Better Idea of the Supplies You Need

Many online moving calculators also help you realize which supplies you’ll need for your move and what amounts you’ll actually use. They ask questions about the size of your home and the types of furnishings you own. Along with calculating the costs of moving your possessions from Point A to Point B, you’ll receive a breakdown of the types and number of boxes recommended.

Depending on the calculator, you may receive very specific results including specialty-shipping boxes for fine china or bottles of wine. Or you may end up with a short tally of the number of medium or large-sized moving boxes you’ll need, and recommended amounts of shipping tape and other general supplies.

If you’re hiring a local mover, you may be surprised to learn they provide their own materials. Your provider may even offer to pack your belongings too, for a fee. Moving companies offer a wealth of services capable of saving your back and your budget. For example, by using an online shipping calculator, you may discover it’s actually less expensive to go with a full-service mover rather than purchasing supplies on your own and renting a moving van.

For more information on using a moving cost calculator to find budget-friendly services for your upcoming move or to get a free moving quote, contact the experts at Nilson Van.